New Everton Stadium Discussion

[Duncan Disordely]

Independent report outlines benefits of regenerated Walton Hall Park
November 27, 2014
Liverpool City Council has today released an independent study which outlines the potential benefits of a regenerated Walton Hall Park which would include a new stadium for Everton FC.

The outline feasibility report by Volterra Partners has found that the scheme has the potential to unlock regeneration opportunities and develop long term step changes in the area.

The authors found that it could create up to 1,250 permanent jobs, 1,000 new homes and 30,000 square metres of leisure, retail and restaurant space.

It envisages re-providing all of the facilities that are currently available, including the Lifestyles Leisure Centre, Liverpool Soccer Centre, children’s play area and sports pitches.

It is estimated that a 50,000 seater stadium and associated development would take 40 – 50 percent of the 130 acre park, but that the remaining green space would be upgraded, offering better quality facilities and links with neighbouring housing.

The regeneration scheme could also accommodate university facilities linked to sports, a school and a larger primary health practice.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “Today we have published an outline feasibility report which looks into the extent of the impact of the Walton Hall Park regeneration project.

“This report, which is wholly independent, is in no way a plan or an agreement, but is an investigation only into the potential of a project of this scale. The figures used within it are looking at the maximum possibilities.

“It looks at statistics such as crime, education and unemployment figures and analyses the difference and benefits that a regeneration project could make to the area.

“I can state that, at this time, no plans have been presented to us by Everton FC, but clearly it would be irresponsible of us to allow anyone to come to us with any proposal, for anywhere in the city without us first taking a full and in-depth look at the situation.

“During all the discussions and public consultation events we have been open and transparent about the process that we are undertaking and so we have a responsibility to share this report and its findings with the public.

“We are listening to residents and we will continue to do so throughout the whole process. We have a designated team who will answer any questions and we will continue to keep you involved every step of the way.”

The Council and the Club are working with public, private and voluntary sector partners, including Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) and Everton in the Community, to explore and understand community needs and then develop and ultimately deliver a new, vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood for North Liverpool.

More information about the overall scheme can be found at www.waltonhallparkproject.co.uk

Everton fans looking for more information can visit www.evertonfc.com/yourstadium

http://www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/video/walton-hall-park-update/

 

[anton66]

http://www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/video/walton-hall-park-update/

They look massive, and yes.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I think the stadium move has to happen

You can't really do anything with Goodison unless you start buying up the surrounding houses and knocking them down, and I just couldn't see the club doing that. The term "People's Club" would be stretched considerably were that to happen

With that being the case, a new stadium elsewhere is the only other option. The club needs it to establish itself as a force again

 

[Bluerover]

http://www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/video/walton-hall-park-update/

So is there a plan?

 

[Muggins]

just watched the video with closed captions / subtitles as i'm at work and have no sound...

well that was interesting...

 

[magicjuan]

So is there a plan?

Of course there's a plan, this is Bill Kenwright's Everton we're talking about......

 

[nil satis]

Of course there's a plan, this is Bill Kenwright's Everton we're talking about......

Kenwright has brought stability and success to this club (now definitely seen as at least a top eight club) after the disasterous Peter Johnson era. The vast majority of Evertonians can see this and thats why Blue Union and Keioc struggle to get any real support.

 

[kithnou]

Kenwright has brought stability and success to this club (now definitely seen as at least a top eight club) after the disasterous Peter Johnson era. The vast majority of Evertonians can see this and thats why Blue Union and Keioc struggle to get any real support.

Umm...say what? Won nothing....we must have different definitions of success....

 

[nil satis]

Umm...say what? Won nothing....we must have different definitions of success....

Theres only two or three teams that can realistically win the premier league becuase of finances. Before Kenwright took over we sold our best player every year and were fighting relegation now we are a top eight team,that by anyones standards is success.

 

[kithnou]

Theres only two or three teams that can realistically win the premier league becuase of finances. Before Kenwright took over we sold our best player every year and were fighting relegation now we are a top eight team,that by anyones standards is success.

won anything.....anything....

 

[Chang Elephant]

Kenwright has brought stability and success to this club (now definitely seen as at least a top eight club) after the disasterous Peter Johnson era. The vast majority of Evertonians can see this and thats why Blue Union and Keioc struggle to get any real support.

 

[edge]

Mayor Joe, was on the radio today said there are no plans put forward at present, nothing concrete from the club just a set of proposals that they the council would like to happen.
nothing to be seen here for a good while if at all.

 

[kithnou]

Mayor Joe, was on the radio today said there are no plans put forward at present, nothing concrete from the club... just waiting for a handout.

fixed for you

 

[billy bluestar]

Theres only two or three teams that can realistically win the premier league becuase of finances. Before Kenwright took over we sold our best player every year and were fighting relegation now we are a top eight team,that by anyones standards is success.

Erm, I do believe this also happened with kenwright, at the helm.

 

[BoysInBlue]

The vast majority of Evertonians can see this and thats why Blue Union and Keioc struggle to get any real support.

That's such a silly statement to make, for a number of reasons.

First of all 'KEIOC' didn't 'struggle to get any real support'. KEIOC successfully argued that the Kirkby stadium plans were deeply flawed, as proven at a public enquiry ordered by the Government, in which a judge ruled against letting the plans go ahead. The plans weren't sustainable in numerous ways, the biggest being that the finances simply did not add up. The whole point of 'KEIOC' - Keep Everton In Our City was as their name described. As a new stadium is now being planned IN OUR CITY, I would suggest that they have more than achieved their aim.

As for the Blue Union, if you cut through all the spin and all the baloney, the facts are this: they exposed how shabby Everton internal affairs were at that time, in summer 2011. Not so coincidentally, things have improved A LOT at the club since the summer of 2011. Why? Because many of the people at the centre of the much criticised stuff have since moved on and left the club. There was the supposed leaking of a Kenwright meeting transcript - no tape was ever found and it was always denied that the conversation was recorded. It was simply very proficient notes made. The marches before the games in 2011 came at a time when we hadn't signed a player on a permanent transfer for anything more than a nominal fee for TWO SEASONS. Again, things have changed greatly since then. The spin against the Blue Union was very prominent in the local media; the Echo refused point blank to cover many of the public meetings, and it was only when Neville Southall attended one at the Casa that they finally sent someone (Neil Jones). The numbers attending the marches before games was significant, yet was laughably dismissed as 'one man and his dog' by the likes of EFC employee Sharp on the radio.

Again, facts - the Blue Union didn't just criticise, they made numerous suggestions as to how Everton could improve things. One was how the club markets itself to potential investors. 6 months after the Blue Union released their suggestions, Everton themselves adopted numerous aspects of what the Blue Union had been suggesting all along. So this idea that the Blue Union lot talked a load of nonsense without substance was utterly disproven - given that the club themselves quietly adopted many of their ideas.

And to top it all, the Blue Union has focused its' efforts of late on reducing ticket prices for fans and making matches more affordable. They have attended numerous rallies on London on the subject.

I am not affiliated in any way with the Blue Union, but a lot of the raw deal they get are from complete misconceptions regarding their views, aims, objectives and stances. They are just Evertonians like you and I, and care deeply about the club.